Castletown Harbour Tidal Walls

The project is the first phase of an All-Island plan of Climate Change Adaptation and will deliver a scheme to reduce the risk of tidal flooding during high tide events in Castletown Harbour. The defences have been designed to reduce the risk of tidal flooding during a 1 in 200 year event in the year 2115 including allowance for climate change.

In December 2014 The Department of Infrastructure appointed JBA (IOM) Ltd to produce a concept design report for flooding and wave overtopping around the Isle of Man. The report concluded that Castletown Harbour and adjacent properties are currently at risk of tidal flooding from a 1 in 10 year still water event. With predicted increases in sea levels as a result of climate change the risk increases to a 1 in 1 year event by 2115. Following Government approval of the proposed Climate Change Adaptation Planning permission for the scheme was granted 31 October 2016. Castletown harbour lies within a conservation zone and is a working harbour for small boat owners.

The £2.3 million project is part of the Government’s overall strategy to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels and severe weather as a result of climate change.

The Department has been working in partnership with flood management specialists JBA Consulting to develop long-term measures to combat harbour flooding and wave overtopping at vulnerable coastal locations around the Island.

A report highlighting a range of potential solutions was published in 2015 and a series of community meetings generated feedback from the public and local authorities.

The Castletown scheme, which received planning approval in October 2016, involves the installation of raised or set-back harbour walls. This approach is designed to prevent flooding around Back Hope Street, Victoria Road, Bridge Street, Qualtrough’s Yard and the Boat Park.

The main scheme in Castletown commenced on Monday 8 May. Auldyn Construction Ltd has been awarded the contract and the work to improve the flood defences is programmed to take 45 weeks to complete.